Baseball fans, grab your popcorn! The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing their unforgettable rivalry stateside for a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, following an exciting start to the 2025 season in Tokyo. This match-up promises an intense battle between two powerhouse lineups. Viewing in person or tuning in from home, here’s what you need to know.
A Star-Studded Lineup
As the Cubs aim to carry their early-season momentum into this electrifying series, they’ll face a Dodgers lineup teeming with talent. Superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, both batting over .300, headline an arsenal that also includes the powerful Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández. After missing some time due to an injury, first baseman Freddie Freeman is expected to bolster the offense upon his return.
Cubs on a Hot Streak
The Cubs might have uncertainty facing LA’s formidable roster, but they aren’t coming into this matchup empty-handed. Chicago’s batting lineup has been formidable, featuring sluggers like Kyle Tucker, Dansby Swanson, and Seiya Suzuki. Tucker’s .322/.452/.678 line and 16 RBIs thus far mark him as a potential MVP contender if he maintains his explosive form. According to The New York Times, Chicago has registered itself as MLB’s second-ranked scoring offense, trailing only the Yankees.
Pitching Duel in the Spotlight
Starting for the Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki bring heat to the pitching mound. Yamamoto’s 1.69 ERA and recent control make him a challenging hurdle for the Cubs, who managed only a single run off him in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Sasaki, despite shorter outings, has perplexed batters with his arsenal — a tactic Chicago must strategize against.
Nostalgic Meet-Ups
Adding layers to this rivalry, several players have worn both the Cubs and Dodgers jerseys over the past decade. Familiar faces like Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson might stir up nostalgia among fans of both teams.
With both teams hungry for victory, this showdown at Dodger Stadium guarantees thrills and a rich display of talent. As Chicago aims to dethrone LA’s praiseworthy offense and move up the NL Central ranking, baseball tradition lovers will not want to miss a single pitch of this marquee encounter.